case study_
DeWitt Chamber & Development Company
project overview
Emerge Marketing’s owner, Shelly Greving, a former resident of DeWitt, began volunteering with the organization in 2013 to engage more deeply with her community, and fulfill her passion for chamber and economic development work. Recognizing the crucial role of collaboration among community businesses, the city, and school districts, she saw the potential for DeWitt to serve as a central hub for neighboring communities. The DeWitt Chamber & Development Company (DCDC) became Emerge’s first client, with a focus on future community needs. As a volunteer on the marketing committee, Shelly contributed to the DeWitt Delivers Campaign, Emerge’s inaugural project, which featured monthly blogs and newspaper articles showcasing DeWitt’s offerings. Additionally, the Look Local First initiative targeted local residents to support community businesses and has documented $5.1 million in local spending in its first 9 years. Our long-term involvement extended the DCDC brand across various sectors, including the library, school, performing arts center, and city projects, solidifying DeWitt’s fully-integrated community identity.
problem_
Located 30 miles from the Quad Cities, DeWitt was traditionally an importer of employees rather than a bedroom community, with many individuals commuting to work but not residing there. The community aspired to attract residents who would become actively involved in local life.
solution _
Emerge addressed the challenges faced by DeWitt by implementing innovative solutions tailored to the community’s needs. A campaign, DeWitt Delivers was created and the community’s story was told through key pillars – healthcare, education, retail, shopping, manufacturing, agriculture, volunteerism and non-profits. This narrative was communicated through various channels, including newspaper banners, TV spots, radio commercials, and a comprehensive community guide. The guide welcomed new employees and residents, providing a holistic view of what DeWitt had to offer, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and engagement.
In 2015, the “Look Local First” campaign was launched to encourage local shopping through a punch card system that incentivized purchases with a chance to win Chamber bucks. This initiative has successfully retained millions of dollars within the community and received the Travel Iowa Award for Outstanding Niche Marketing Initiative in 2017. By April 2024, the campaign had tracked $4.93 million in local spending. As Emerge’s role evolved from 2015 to 2021, we helped DeWitt communicate its impact through the development of annual reports, focusing on the pillars of lead, inform, advocate and advance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Emerge assisted in marketing adapted services, ensuring continuous community engagement. We also enhanced the organization’s communication by creating agendas, presentations, and executive summaries for the annual meeting. In 2015, Emerge designed a visitors guide that grew from a brochure to a multipage publication, coordinating the collection of community photos and continuously updating the cover design
impact _
Emerge Marketing Solutions has had a profound impact on the DCDC. In 2015, Shelly was honored with the DCDC’s “Friend of the Year” award for her pivotal role in initiating transformative community projects. In 2020, Shelly’s expertise was crucial in creating a proposal to recruit an off-site community college career and technical education academy. Her efforts supporting the DCDC, in collaboration with Clinton Community College, Central DeWitt School District, and the business community, successfully secured the academy. Emerge prides itself on empowering clients to maintain and implement branding strategies independently, which DeWitt has done successfully over the years. DeWitt consistently seeks Shelly’s insight for strategic opportunities, reflecting her insightful role in shaping the community’s vision. Over the course of the past decade, Emerge has established a cohesive foundation for branding, communications, and strategic planning. This long-term partnership positioned DeWitt as a host site for the 2024 Evolution of the Heartland immersive experience, highlighting the community’s exceptional quality of life, workforce opportunities, and agricultural impact.
what we do _
scope of work
Details
- Location: DeWitt, Iowa
- Industry: Community
- Services provided: Brand Development, Business Consulting, Digital Marketing, Social Media Management, Graphic Design, Public Relations, Training, Strategic Marketing, Training, Website Development
let’s get started _
we are ready to help!
Are you in need of revitalizing your identity or refreshing your fundraising campaign to engage new audiences? Our team would love to learn more about your community, or organization’s needs.
